The Two Things My Friend Shubh Did To Lose 32 Kilos In 2 Years
What Do You Do When Someone Repeats Their Mistakes? Cash Is More Important Than Profit
Life is awesome, irrespective of the cards you’ve been dealt by circumstances. I build businesses with people I like to pursue a rich emotional and financial life. I share lessons I learn along the way.
Here are this weeks insights:
The Two Things My Friend Shubh Did To Lose 32 Kilos In 2 Years
What Do You Do When Someone Repeats Their Mistakes?
Cash Is More Important Than Profit
You can access previous editions of my weekly emails here. Let’s dive in!
(1) The Two Things My Friend Shubh Did To Lose 32 Kilos In 2 Years
My friend Shubh (Dr. Shubham Vatsya Gastroliver care) lost 32 kilos in 2 years.
I found out about it by coming across his Instagram video in a slick custom suit giving gyaan about what he knows best - healing patients. I loved seeing the change.
He got on a call and told me that he did it by doing just two things:
Having two black coffees a day, one at morning and one at afternoon, and a meal. Coffee helps suppress appetite and keeps you focused.
In his meals he stopped eating grains - no rice, bread, pasta.
Shubh is already an extremely successful doctor but given his makeover he is starting to lead by example. Being healthy when you are advising others to be healthy should be the rule, not the exception in the industry.
I had shared another post from Jimmy Mackey on how to lose 30 lbs in the next 90 days. I actually do most of what he listed. Check it out because it is a great set of rules irrespective of whether you are trying to lose weight or not.
(2) What Do You Do When Someone Repeats Their Mistakes?
I recall Mr. Beast, the most successful YouTuber in the world, saying that he doesn't mind his team making mistakes which cost him millions of dollars, as long as they don't repeat them.
But when mistakes are repeated he steps in because something is wrong. I follow the same model.
When it comes to sales I see mistakes made when the seller is talking way more than the prospect. Instead of asking questions to understand the pain, he is too busy overwhelming the prospect with features. This is not a great way of selling. You got to:
Slow down when you sell.
Listen more than you speak.
Understand the pain, not overwhelm with features.
Be upbeat not hyper.
Be likable.
Know when to persist and when to walk away.
Be a partner not a salesman.
In short - ask questions, understand the pain, provide a painkiller.
If these basics are not followed then sooner or later you will end up losing clients who need your solution but cannot understand your solution because you are too busy vomiting what you know onto them.
Those who talk less and listen more are trusted more.
(3) Cash Is More Important Than Profit
Cash flow is the oxygen of any business. Run out of it, and no matter how profitable you are on paper, your business won’t survive. You can be making millions in revenue and still go broke if your cash is tied up in inventory, unpaid invoices, or long payment cycles.
On the flip side, some businesses operate at a loss on paper but generate massive free cash flow—fueling their growth without ever running out of money.
Amazon: The Ultimate Cash Flow Machine
Amazon is a textbook example of this strategy in action. Unlike traditional retailers that buy inventory upfront and then wait for sales to recoup their investment, Amazon flips the model:
They get paid first – When you order something on Amazon, your money hits their account immediately. They collect cash upfront before shipping the product.
They pay suppliers later – Amazon negotiates extended payment terms with suppliers, often 30, 60, or even 90 days. This means they don’t have to pay for inventory until long after they’ve already sold it and received cash from customers.
They use the float – This gap between receiving money and paying suppliers creates a cash float. Instead of sitting idle, this cash can be reinvested into growth—expanding warehouses, launching new services, or funding new business lines like AWS.
Minimal risk, maximal control – Unlike businesses that rely on external debt or investment, Amazon funds its expansion largely through its own cash flow, reducing dependency on banks or investors.
This is how Amazon scaled at an unprecedented rate while technically showing low profits for years. Their cash flow strategy allowed them to dominate the market, outcompete traditional retailers, and grow into the giant they are today.
The Lesson?
Profit is important, but cash flow is what keeps a business alive and growing. Many businesses struggle not because they aren’t profitable, but because they mismanage their cash. The ultimate business move isn’t just making money—it’s structuring your operations so that you don’t need to use your own cash to make money.
Thank you for reading. If you’re curious about the businesses I build, here they are:
Ideals VDR - We help professionals to collaborate over sensitive data and run critical business transactions, such as M&A, smoothly.
Happy Ratio - Delicious, nutritious foods and drinks designed for busy lives. No fuss, just health made simple.
Marcellus Investment Managers - Where my personal investments grow. Their philosophy of investing in clean, honest, cash flow-positive businesses aligns with my approach.
Harsh Batra (LinkedIn)